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The Baltic Countries Commit 5% of Their GDP to Defense Starting in 2026 in Response to Russian Threats and NATO Demands

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4 months ago

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The Baltic countries —Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania— have signed an agreement to increase their defense spending to 5% of their Gross Domestic Product (GDP) starting in 2026.

This commitment, formalized at the Amari Air Base in Estonia on May 23, 2025, responds both to growing geopolitical tensions with Russia and to demands from U.S. President Donald Trump for NATO allies to increase their military investments.

The decision by the Baltic countries stems from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania have intensified their efforts to strengthen their defense capabilities.

Their geographic proximity to Russia and their history as former Soviet republics make them a critical NATO flank. According to Estonian Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur, the current security situation demands a significant increase in military spending— a stance supported by the leaders of the three countries during the Amari meeting.

In recent years, the Baltics have observed a rise in Russian activities, including airspace incursions, military exercises near their borders, and hybrid operations such as cyberattacks and disinformation campaigns.

In 2024, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda warned about the rise in “Russian sabotage on NATO territories,” highlighting the need for a coordinated response. This context has led the Baltics to prioritize deterrence, with investments in advanced systems like HIMARS rockets and air defense systems.

The Amari agreement also reflects pressure from the United States, NATO’s leading power, for its allies to reach a 5% of GDP military spending level.

This demand, driven by the Trump administration, has sparked debate within the Alliance, as NATO’s current threshold is 2% of GDP— a level many countries have yet to meet.

The Baltics, however, already far exceed this minimum. In 2022, Lithuania allocated 2.47%, Estonia 2.12%, and Latvia 2.07% of their GDP to defense, according to NATO data. In 2024, Estonia announced plans to reach 3.7% by 2026, while Lithuania aims for a 5% to 6% range between 2026 and 2030. Latvia, for its part, decided in May 2025 to raise its spending to 5%, reallocating resources and optimizing government efficiency.

Raising defense spending to 5% of GDP implies a significant financial effort. In Latvia, Prime Minister Evika Siliņa noted that budget cuts, new revenue sources, and possibly a higher deficit will be required.

Estonia, according to its Prime Minister Kristen Michal, plans to fund the increase without new taxes, using EU funds, cuts in the public sector, and strategic borrowing. Lithuania, which has already committed 0.25% of its GDP to military support for Ukraine, seeks to balance its defense ambitions with economic stability.

These investments are not focused solely on traditional weaponry. The Baltics are strengthening their capabilities in cybersecurity, electronic defense, and military mobility.

For example, Latvia will allocate 42% of its 2025 defense budget to developing military capabilities, including HIMARS systems and air defenses.

In addition, the three countries are advancing the synchronization of their power grids with continental Europe, a project to be completed by February 2025 to reduce energy dependence on Russia.

While the Baltics lead with their 5% commitment, NATO shows a clear divide. Countries like Poland— which will allocate 4.12% of its GDP in 2025— and Lithuania, with plans to reach 6%, contrast with nations like Spain, which barely reaches 1.09%.

Countries closer to Russia prioritize traditional defense, while others, such as Spain, focus their efforts on cybersecurity and disaster prevention.

The Amari meeting also served to prepare for the NATO summit in The Hague in June 2025, where defense spending will be a central issue. The Baltics will advocate for a widespread increase in military budgets, supporting previous proposals like Poland’s to raise NATO’s minimum to 3%.

A question arises: Is it sustainable for small economies like Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania to assume such high military spending? The reallocation of resources and borrowing could jeopardize essential services like healthcare, education, or pensions, affecting their citizens.

The Baltic strategy highlights the need for a more coordinated European approach, where the burden of defense does not fall disproportionately on the smallest and most vulnerable nations.

It is true that today’s threats are increasingly complex— from cyberattacks to disinformation— but NATO’s real strength will depend not only on how much is spent, but on how investments are made and how security priorities are balanced with social needs.

The post The Baltic Countries Commit 5% of Their GDP to Defense Starting in 2026 in Response to Russian Threats and NATO Demands appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

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Politics

Black Lives Matter Activist in Boston Pleads Guilty to Federal Fraud Charges – Scammed Donors to Fund Her Lifestyle

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23 hours ago

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September 24, 2025

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Screencap of YouTube video.

A Black Lives Matter activist in Boston named Monica Cannon-Grant pleaded guilty to federal charges this week, admitting that she scammed donors and used their money to fund her own lavish lifestyle.

Cannon-Grant was previously held up as an admired figure. The city of Boston named her the Bostonian of the year at one point for her ‘social justice activism’ and she was even recognized by the Boston Celtics basketball team for her efforts.

She is now facing a minimum of two years in prison.

The New York Post reports:

BLM-linked activist admits conning donors to fund her lavish lifestyle

A once-celebrated Boston social activist has pleaded guilty to defrauding donors — including Black Lives Matter — out of thousands of dollars that she used as a personal piggy bank.

Monica Cannon-Grant, 44, pleaded guilty Monday to 18 counts of fraud-related crimes that she committed with her late husband while operating their Violence in Boston (VIB) activists group, according to the US Attorney’s Office in Massachusetts.

The activist scammed money — including $3,000 from a BLM group — while claiming it was to help feed children and run protests like one in 2020 over the murder of George Floyd and police violence.

Cannon-Grant also conned her way into getting $100,000 in federal pandemic-related unemployment benefits — which she used to pay off her personal auto loan and car insurance policy.

But she has now confessed to transferring funds to personal bank accounts to pay for rent, shopping sprees, delivery meals, visits to a nail salon — and even a summer vacation to Maryland.

Just amazing.

Here’s a local video report:

She should pay back every penny.

The post Black Lives Matter Activist in Boston Pleads Guilty to Federal Fraud Charges – Scammed Donors to Fund Her Lifestyle appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

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Politics

Keith Olbermann Backpedals Furiously With Apology for Threatening CNN’s Scott Jennings – Jennings Responds (VIDEO)

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23 hours ago

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September 24, 2025

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As the Gateway Pundit reported yesterday, former MSNBC host and generally unhinged leftist Keith Olbermann, appeared to threaten CNN’s conservative pundit Scott Jennings on Twitter saying, ‘You’re next motherf**ker.’

Well, Olbermann may have gotten a phone call or a visit from the FBI because today he walked back those comments with a full-throated apology.

RedState has an update:

To quickly recap, Scott Jennings, a Salem Media Network radio host and conservative CNN political commentator, reacted to breaking news on Monday that Kimmel had been reinstated by tweeting, “So basically his employer suspended him for being an insensitive pr**k, and we don’t live in an authoritarian regime? Got it.”

This enraged Olbermann, who proceeded to tweet what many, including Jennings, perceived to be a threat. “You’re next, motherf**ker. But keep mugging to the camera.” Jennings tagged Patel and included a screengrab of the tweets in response.

Though the FBI hasn’t commented as to whether an investigation was launched, Olbermann ostensibly appears to have thought twice about what he tweeted and deleted, apologizing profusely in tweets posted on Tuesday and claiming what he wrote was “misinterpreted”:

See Olbermann’s tweet below:

Scott Jennings, always a class act, offered this hilarious response:

Keith Olbermann really needs help. The guy is just so out of control.

The post Keith Olbermann Backpedals Furiously With Apology for Threatening CNN’s Scott Jennings – Jennings Responds (VIDEO) appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

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Politics

Where is Lance Twiggs? Kirk Assassin’s Transgender Lover Has Vanished

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23 hours ago

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September 24, 2025

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Charlie Kirk assassin Tyler Robinson and roommate Lance Twiggs

Charlie Kirk assassin Tyler Robinson lived with his transgender partner – a male-to-female trans named Lance “Luna” Twiggs.

The FBI used Robinson’s texts with his transgender partner to solidify that Robinson was the assassin. Lance Twiggs has not been charged with any crime; however, federal authorities are still investigating.

Last week, Utah authorities released the text exchange between Tyler Robinson and his transgender lover, Lance Twiggs, sent shortly after Kirk’s assassination.

Utah County District Attorney Jeff Gray announced seven charges against Charlie Kirk assassin Tyler Robinson. They will also be seeking the death penalty.

Robinson was charged with:

– Count 1: Aggravated murder (capital offense)
– Count 2: Felony reckless discharge of a firearm causing bodily injury
– Count 3: Felony obstruction of justice for hiding the firearm
– Count 4: Felony obstruction of justice for discarding the clothing he wore during the shooting
– Count 5: Witness tampering for asking roommate to delete incriminating messages
– Count 6: Witness temperating for demanding trans roommate stay silent, and not speak to police
– Count 7: Commission of a violent offense in the presence of a child

Jeff Gray released the chilling texts between Tyler Robinson and his “love” Lance Twiggs.

Read the text exchange here:

Tyler Robinson texts with transgender lover Lance Twiggs / 1
Kirk assassin Tyler Robinson texts with transgender lover Lance Twiggs / 2

Lance Twiggs was reportedly cooperating with the FBI, however, according to the Daily Mail he has seemingly vanished.

“If [Lance Twiggs] ever comes back, it will be in a body bag,” a neighbor said to the Daily Mail. “That’s not a threat – I’m just saying that there are so many people who want a piece of him he’d be mad to show his face in public again. This was a generational event.”

The Daily Mail reported:

The Trans boyfriend of Charlie Kirk’s alleged assassin has fled their former lovenest – and locals tell the Daily Mail they never want to see him again.

Lance Twiggs, 22, was led away for questioning when police swooped on the smart three-bed condo he shared with accused gunman Tyler Robinson, 22.

Shaken neighbors say the part time plumber has not been back to the $320,000 property in St. George, Utah – one declaring: ‘Good riddance. I never want to see either of them again.’

His beaten-up Infinity compact is still parked in his space with his work gear tossed across the back seat and a sandwich wrapper and a drink on the front passenger seat.

Upstairs lights have been left on for more than a week and notes and Amazon packages are piling up outside the home owned by Twiggs’s devout Mormon family.

The post Where is Lance Twiggs? Kirk Assassin’s Transgender Lover Has Vanished appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

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